You'll need a hospital bag if you plan to give birth to your child in a hospital or birthing center. Then you should pack a basic kit of clothing, hygiene items, and comfort accessories for the hours or days you'll spend there, which you'll need during the birth and afterwards. And even if you plan a home birth, you should have an emergency bag for the hospital
ready in case of complications.

What exactly goes into the hospital bag depends accordingly on how you plan the birth. For delivery in a birthing center or outpatient in a hospital, you'll naturally need to pack much less than
if you want to spend the usual two to three days on the postpartum ward. No matter what you
decide, some basics for you and your baby simply belong in every hospital bag. Which ones those
are, we've summarized clearly for you further down.

For many couples, packing the hospital bag means the final step in preparing for the baby. No wonder that many expectant moms like to put off packing the hospital bag, after all, it signifies in a certain
way the symbolic beginning of the end of the pregnancy – an emotional matter for most
pregnant women.

But towards the end of the pregnancy, things can go very quickly and your baby suddenly gets impatient. In case of
your water breaking or with regular contractions, you certainly don't want to add the stress of thinking about the essentials and packing a bag right then. That's why you should pack your hospital bag in time
and store it easily accessible in the apartment. Then you have a clear head and can be sure to have everything with you when it starts.

We recommend that you have your hospital bag fully packed by the 30th week of pregnancy, at the latest by the 34th week.

How big should the hospital bag be and what is suitable as a hospital bag for the birth? Here too, it naturally depends on how long you plan to be away from home. A spacious diaper bag or a weekender is perfect, for example, as a pure delivery room bag or birth bag for an outpatient birth. The hospital bag should be a bit larger if you will be spending a few days in the hospital. In that case, a large sports bag or a medium-sized suitcase works well. No matter what you choose as your hospital bag, it should be big enough so that
everything (including bath sandals, cosmetics, pillow, etc.) fits well, what you need for two to three days and nights away from
home.

One more tip from us: It's best to avoid multi-piece luggage. Hospital rooms are usually rather small
and you probably won't be the only mom in the room. Sprawling luggage piles standing around in the room will bother you, your roommates, and the hospital staff. Not least, they also pose a tripping hazard. Therefore: Pack as little as possible, but as much as necessary.

I'm packing my hospital bag – what do I need to bring? We've put together a clear guide for you here.
Hospital bag checklist compiled:

Important documents:

• Identity card (or passport)
• Health insurance card
• Maternity record
• Referral slip from the doctor (if available)
• Allergy passport (if available)
• For registering the child at the registry office (if your clinic offers this service): marriage certificate and family register, or for unmarried couples, the birth certificates of the mother and father and, if applicable, the acknowledgment of paternity.

For childbirth:

• Birth plan (if available)
• Two long, loose-fitting maternity and nursing nightgowns or nursing tops for changing, in case it takes longer than expected. Our tip: Our organic birthing gown and nursing nightgown in navy (also available in pink) is the perfect choice!
• 1 x bathrobe or dressing gown
• 1 x comfortable, wide lounge trousers
• Slippers or flip-flops
• thick socks
• Hygiene products for freshening up between meals (e.g. soap, deodorant)
• For long hair: hair tie or hair clip
• Contact lens wearers: appropriate equipment and glasses
• Lip balm
• Energy-boosting drinks and snacks (e.g., muesli bars, cookies, sweets, juice)
• personal items such as money, mobile phone, camera…
• Also for the expectant father: snacks and things to pass the time (e.g. magazines, books)
  
  
  And additionally for the postpartum period:
• 2 to 3 comfortable pairs of trousers (e.g. maternity leggings , maternity shorts , lounge trousers )
• 3 to 4 loose-fitting shirts with nursing access (preferably button-up)
• 1 x lightweight sweatshirt or cardigan
• 2 x Nursing Nightwear
• 3 to 5 comfortable nursing bras
• 1 x bag for dirty laundry
• Hygiene and cosmetic products as needed
• Essential comfort accessories (e.g., your own pillow, headphones, charging cable for your mobile phone...)

The following items are usually provided on the maternity ward. However, if you feel more comfortable with your own belongings, you should also remember to bring:

• Towels and washcloths
• several postpartum underwear or washable briefs
• heavy pads or sanitary napkins
• several nursing pads
• Nipple care ointment
• delicious breastfeeding tea

For your baby (all sizes 50 to 56):

• 2 x bodysuits (long-sleeved)
• 2 wrap jackets
• 2 x Rompers
• 1 x thin hat
• 1 pair of socks
• 1 x jacket or overall and hat for the journey home (appropriate for the season)
• 1 x small baby blanket
• possibly 2 to 3 swaddle and burp cloths
• possibly 2 to 3 sterilized pacifiers

You'll usually be provided with diaper-changing supplies and formula (if needed) at the hospital, and often also baby clothes, burp cloths, pacifiers, bottles, etc. for your time on the ward. Ask about this at the reception desk.
Do not have any doubts beforehand at your maternity clinic.

Are you unsure whether you've thought of everything or if your luggage is sufficient for your hospital stay? Don't worry! The most important thing is to have all the documents you need for the birth. The hospital can provide everything else.
or it can be brought to you later by your partner, family and friends when they visit your baby
come.